Mayor Advisory Team vs City Council

A question at a city council meeting stirs some major controversy after the response by a mayor solutions team member is deemed disrespectful by some on the Colorado Springs City Council.

The exchange happened in council chambers here at city hall on Monday during an informal council meeting.

During a presentation about public transportation, Councilwoman Brandy Williams asked, ?Did you ride the buses through the city? Did you take a day around the city of Colorado Springs using the public bus system only??

Williams was asking the question to the Transit Solutions Team chair Robert Shonkwiler and he said, ?Personal questions about what I do and don’t do I think is my business?.I don’t think you have the right to ask me that question.?

Since the exchange, council has reminded the community that civility and respect are expected at the meetings.

On Wednesday, Williams said she never meant the question to cause an outburst.

?I was just looking for feedback. Looking for- had this piece of due diligence been done,? said Williams.

The Transit Solutions Team answers to Mayor Steve Bach. Below is Bach?s full statement on the matter:

“Robert Shonkwiler is a volunteer citizen who has given substantially of his time and talents, among others, to try to help our city rethink, in this case, transit. He is working towards fiscal substantiality for our transit system while concurrently delivering the best service we can. He is a volunteer from the community. He is not a politician. He was peppered with questions by councilors – and yes he lost his composure. However, I am very disappointed in how he was treated. I believe we need to have some deference for citizens who are doing their best to try and help. “

The Transit Solutions Team is one of many advisory boards the Mayor uses.

The teams regularly talk to council and the Mayor.